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Health News and Headlines From ABC News Radioen-us(c) ABC News RadioHigh school football player who beat cancer says it was a team efforthttp://hitsfm.net/abc-health-news/12ec1781afa91c396fe98773fe8745af
Sun, 18 Mar 2018 12:20:00 -0500http://hitsfm.net/abc-health-news/12ec1781afa91c396fe98773fe8745afABC News(JENKS, Okla.) -- As a member of his Oklahoma high school football team, Jackson Lilly says he learned that success on the field depends on an all-out team effort.

Off the field, the 17-year-old junior at Jenks High School in Jenks, Oklahoma, has found that lesson also applied to his year-long battle with stage 4 lymphoma.

"Definitely when I got diagnosed, the whole football team was there," Lilly told ABC News.

He was diagnosed last March with Burkitt's Lymphoma, a rare form of cancer. He said he began feeling ill while on a spring break missionary trip to Guatemala, and initially thought he had contracted a stomach bug.

But when he returned home, his doctor found a mass obstructing his small bowel. On March 19, 2017, he underwent surgery to extract the mass from his small intestine and remove part of his large intestine and some lymph nodes.

His teammates, coaches and entire school were there to support him every step of the way. Many football players even shaved their heads in solidarity when Jackson lost his hair while undergoing chemotherapy. Other students posted a video on social media of them yelling in unison, "We love you, Jax!"

After chemo, radiation treatments and seven surgeries, Lilly rejoined his teammates last week for spring football workouts, taking his first sprints on the field and pumping iron in the weight room, eager to make his comeback on the gridiron.

On March 12, a video posted on Twitter by one of his coaches went viral, showing a cancer-free Lilly ringing a bell in the school weight room, a ritual reserved for athletes who achieve their personal best. The footage shows him walking up to the bell as his teammates cheered, applauded and then mobbed him with back slaps.

"That's the ultimate personal record for him," Jordan Johnson, Lilly's strength and conditioning coach who posted the video, told ABC News station KTUL in Tulsa.

Johnson said that even while Jackson was waging his battle with cancer, he stood on the sidelines during games to support his teammates.

"He was with us all through the football season, on the sidelines with no hair, going through chemo," Johnson said.

For Allen Trimble, head football coach of the Jenks High School Trojans, Lilly's fight was something he could relate to. Trimble, who has led his team to 13 state championship in 22 seasons, had endured his own battle with Lou Gehrig's disease in 2016 and almost retired from the sport.

"You and I both know what it's like to be in a tough battle," Trimble said in his own video tribute to Lilly. "You get to ring the bell in the weight room and that inspires me."

]]>ABC News(JENKS, Okla.) -- As a member of his Oklahoma high school football team, Jackson Lilly says he learned that success on the field depends on an all-out team effort.

Off the field, the 17-year-old junior at Jenks High School in Jenks, Oklahoma, has found that lesson also applied to his year-long battle with stage 4 lymphoma.

"Definitely when I got diagnosed, the whole football team was there," Lilly told ABC News.

He was diagnosed last March with Burkitt's Lymphoma, a rare form of cancer. He said he began feeling ill while on a spring break missionary trip to Guatemala, and initially thought he had contracted a stomach bug.

But when he returned home, his doctor found a mass obstructing his small bowel. On March 19, 2017, he underwent surgery to extract the mass from his small intestine and remove part of his large intestine and some lymph nodes.

His teammates, coaches and entire school were there to support him every step of the way. Many football players even shaved their heads in solidarity when Jackson lost his hair while undergoing chemotherapy. Other students posted a video on social media of them yelling in unison, "We love you, Jax!"

After chemo, radiation treatments and seven surgeries, Lilly rejoined his teammates last week for spring football workouts, taking his first sprints on the field and pumping iron in the weight room, eager to make his comeback on the gridiron.

On March 12, a video posted on Twitter by one of his coaches went viral, showing a cancer-free Lilly ringing a bell in the school weight room, a ritual reserved for athletes who achieve their personal best. The footage shows him walking up to the bell as his teammates cheered, applauded and then mobbed him with back slaps.

"That's the ultimate personal record for him," Jordan Johnson, Lilly's strength and conditioning coach who posted the video, told ABC News station KTUL in Tulsa.

Johnson said that even while Jackson was waging his battle with cancer, he stood on the sidelines during games to support his teammates.

"He was with us all through the football season, on the sidelines with no hair, going through chemo," Johnson said.

For Allen Trimble, head football coach of the Jenks High School Trojans, Lilly's fight was something he could relate to. Trimble, who has led his team to 13 state championship in 22 seasons, had endured his own battle with Lou Gehrig's disease in 2016 and almost retired from the sport.

"You and I both know what it's like to be in a tough battle," Trimble said in his own video tribute to Lilly. "You get to ring the bell in the weight room and that inspires me."

]]>Second lawsuit filed against fertility clinic with freezer tank malfunctionhttp://hitsfm.net/abc-health-news/5ba2e2eac1ffb193fdb3d0f4c04f05af
Sat, 17 Mar 2018 09:20:00 -0500http://hitsfm.net/abc-health-news/5ba2e2eac1ffb193fdb3d0f4c04f05afiStock/Thinkstock(SAN FRANCISCO) -- A second putative class action lawsuit against a San Francisco fertility clinic was filed Thursday by a California couple who say their embryos were destroyed by a freezer tank failure at the clinic.

The proposed class action seeks more than $5 million for hundreds of customers of Pacific Fertility Clinic, which experienced a failure in a freezer tank that houses patients' embryos.

“This is a tragic situation for the hundreds of couples who entrusted their dreams of becoming parents to Pacific Fertility,” said Adam Wolf, an attorney for the plaintiffs in Thursday's suit.

The suit, filed in United States District Court in the District of Northern California, states that Pacific Fertility patients received an email that their embryos may have been impacted when liquid nitrogen levels in a tank fell ‘below necessary levels.’ Plaintiffs are suing for the costs of medical procedures and embryo storage, as well as emotional damages.

"Their damages stem from this loss of precious property. Plaintiffs viewed the embryos as their future children," the suit says. "They have suffered extreme emotional distress and grief regarding the loss of their embryos, the prospect of suffering the extreme pain and extreme emotional distress from undergoing the process again (if they could afford it), and the fact that they may now not be able to have children in the future."

Wolf called the situation a "nightmare scenario."

“They thought they were doing the right thing by placing their trust in Pacific [Fertility],” Wolf said. “In a matter of minutes Pacific squashed their dreams.”

The lawsuit asks the court to certify the case as class action so other Pacific Fertility patients may join. Pacific Fertility did not respond to requests for comment on the latest lawsuit, but Dr. Carl Herbert, president and medical director at the Pacific Fertility Center told ABC News earlier that he had expressed condolences after the incident “for any of the discomfort or concerns that our patients have had from this really unfortunate incident.”

A similar putative class action against Pacific Fertility was filed Tuesday in federal court in San Francisco, alleging negligence, breach of contract and other claims.

]]>iStock/Thinkstock(SAN FRANCISCO) -- A second putative class action lawsuit against a San Francisco fertility clinic was filed Thursday by a California couple who say their embryos were destroyed by a freezer tank failure at the clinic.

The proposed class action seeks more than $5 million for hundreds of customers of Pacific Fertility Clinic, which experienced a failure in a freezer tank that houses patients' embryos.

“This is a tragic situation for the hundreds of couples who entrusted their dreams of becoming parents to Pacific Fertility,” said Adam Wolf, an attorney for the plaintiffs in Thursday's suit.

The suit, filed in United States District Court in the District of Northern California, states that Pacific Fertility patients received an email that their embryos may have been impacted when liquid nitrogen levels in a tank fell ‘below necessary levels.’ Plaintiffs are suing for the costs of medical procedures and embryo storage, as well as emotional damages.

"Their damages stem from this loss of precious property. Plaintiffs viewed the embryos as their future children," the suit says. "They have suffered extreme emotional distress and grief regarding the loss of their embryos, the prospect of suffering the extreme pain and extreme emotional distress from undergoing the process again (if they could afford it), and the fact that they may now not be able to have children in the future."

Wolf called the situation a "nightmare scenario."

“They thought they were doing the right thing by placing their trust in Pacific [Fertility],” Wolf said. “In a matter of minutes Pacific squashed their dreams.”

The lawsuit asks the court to certify the case as class action so other Pacific Fertility patients may join. Pacific Fertility did not respond to requests for comment on the latest lawsuit, but Dr. Carl Herbert, president and medical director at the Pacific Fertility Center told ABC News earlier that he had expressed condolences after the incident “for any of the discomfort or concerns that our patients have had from this really unfortunate incident.”

A similar putative class action against Pacific Fertility was filed Tuesday in federal court in San Francisco, alleging negligence, breach of contract and other claims.

]]>Bride honors late mother by wearing her wedding dress in now-viral photo shoothttp://hitsfm.net/abc-health-news/fb56296f61341c3e786c49d3a7cccf98
Fri, 16 Mar 2018 19:54:00 -0500http://hitsfm.net/abc-health-news/fb56296f61341c3e786c49d3a7cccf98Taylor Brooke Photography(CAMERON PARK, Calif.) -- One bride decided to honor her late mother with a photo shoot in which she wore her mother's vintage wedding dress.

As a child, Shelby Sander always imagined trying on wedding dresses with her mom. But when her mother, Angie, was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer in 2011, she knew she may not get the opportunity.

Despite not being engaged just yet to her then-boyfriend Scott Rogers, Sander, 23, scheduled a wedding dress fitting for March 12, 2011. Still, her mother would die just 11 days before.

"When she didn’t make it to that appointment, it really took a piece of me," Sander told ABC News.

Sander, who lives in Cameron Park, California, would eventually become engaged to Rogers, 24, last December.

"I felt like I needed to do something in some way to honor my mom," she said of the milestone moment. "So she could be here with me during this time."

Spontaneously, Sander decided to bring her mom's wedding dress to her engagement photo shoot, and take some photos of herself in her mother's gown.

"I wanted photos in my mom's dress as a way to honor her and symbolize my parents' relationship," she said. "Their marriage is being passed down to me and hopefully my sister when she gets married."

Sander said she learned a lot from the union between her late mother and her father, Curt. The two had been married for 26 years.

"My parents had the super, super picture-perfect marriage. They never fought in front of my sister and I. They never really fought in general," she said. "They just really demonstrated what a happy, healthy marriage is like, and that is something I hope to take throughout my future marriage with Scott."

Last month, Sander, her fiancé and photographer Taylor Rubio trekked to El Dorado Hills, California, for the shoot. The photographer picked the perfect location.

"It’s kind of located on the side of a hill. It was kind of cool. While we were out there, I remembered that they call it heaven," Rubio told ABC News of the shoot's location. "And she had decided to shoot here before thinking about wearing her mom's dress."

The now-viral shoot, which lasted less than two hours, went perfectly. Now, Sander can focus on honoring her mother at her rustic, outdoorsy wedding on Sept. 29.

Not only will she cut a heart-shaped piece of her mother's wedding dress to sew it onto her own, but she'll also plan a special tribute.

"We’re going to get a vintage chair and we're going to paint it purple, which was her favorite color," Sander said. "And we're going to put a note on it that reads, 'You’d be there if heaven wasn’t so far away.' She gets to be there."

As a child, Shelby Sander always imagined trying on wedding dresses with her mom. But when her mother, Angie, was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer in 2011, she knew she may not get the opportunity.

Despite not being engaged just yet to her then-boyfriend Scott Rogers, Sander, 23, scheduled a wedding dress fitting for March 12, 2011. Still, her mother would die just 11 days before.

"When she didn’t make it to that appointment, it really took a piece of me," Sander told ABC News.

Sander, who lives in Cameron Park, California, would eventually become engaged to Rogers, 24, last December.

"I felt like I needed to do something in some way to honor my mom," she said of the milestone moment. "So she could be here with me during this time."

Spontaneously, Sander decided to bring her mom's wedding dress to her engagement photo shoot, and take some photos of herself in her mother's gown.

"I wanted photos in my mom's dress as a way to honor her and symbolize my parents' relationship," she said. "Their marriage is being passed down to me and hopefully my sister when she gets married."

Sander said she learned a lot from the union between her late mother and her father, Curt. The two had been married for 26 years.

"My parents had the super, super picture-perfect marriage. They never fought in front of my sister and I. They never really fought in general," she said. "They just really demonstrated what a happy, healthy marriage is like, and that is something I hope to take throughout my future marriage with Scott."

Last month, Sander, her fiancé and photographer Taylor Rubio trekked to El Dorado Hills, California, for the shoot. The photographer picked the perfect location.

"It’s kind of located on the side of a hill. It was kind of cool. While we were out there, I remembered that they call it heaven," Rubio told ABC News of the shoot's location. "And she had decided to shoot here before thinking about wearing her mom's dress."

The now-viral shoot, which lasted less than two hours, went perfectly. Now, Sander can focus on honoring her mother at her rustic, outdoorsy wedding on Sept. 29.

Not only will she cut a heart-shaped piece of her mother's wedding dress to sew it onto her own, but she'll also plan a special tribute.

"We’re going to get a vintage chair and we're going to paint it purple, which was her favorite color," Sander said. "And we're going to put a note on it that reads, 'You’d be there if heaven wasn’t so far away.' She gets to be there."

"To our knowledge, this study represents the largest review of tonsillectomy complications in healthy children 6 years or younger," the research team at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana, said in a statement.

Tonsillectomy is the second-most common surgery performed for children in the United States, with more than 530,000 procedures performed each year on children under the age of 15, according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology.

Amid the nationwide childhood obesity epidemic, researchers were particularly concerned about whether the children's weight might be linked to complications after their tonsillectomies. They also looked at their ages at the time of surgery.

The tonsillectomy procedure is usually well-tolerated and most children go home the same day as surgery -- and that’s generally what happened in the study. But there is a 5 percent rate of complications, which usually include difficulty breathing, bleeding, dehydration and lingering pain.

The study looked back at medical records of more than 1,800 children under 6 years old who had the procedures at six different medical centers in New Orleans between 2005 and 2015. Most of these children had a diagnosis of sleep-disordered breathing or obstructive sleep apnea before their tonsils were removed.

About a quarter of the patients studied were under 3 years old, and these children had a higher rate of complications -- 7 percent vs 4.6 percent for older children.

One of the main reasons to keep a child overnight in the hospital is to monitor for these post-op complications. But that extra day in the hospital can lead to more missed school and work for the family.

One in four children under 3 years old had a complication within the first 24 hours following the operation. But for older children, only one in 10 had complications early on.

Did weight alone, in otherwise healthy children, indicate there would be more problems? Breaking down the numbers and types of complication by the children’s BMIs, researchers said the statistics showed that weight did not appear to be a significant predictor of complications in this study, regardless of age.

Overall, the researchers’ recommendation: Children younger than 3 years old need careful observation after a tonsillectomy, because they are more likely to have complications. But that excess weight in a child did not make them more likely to have post-surgical issues.

Dr. Hector M. Florimon is a third-year resident in pediatrics at New York Presbyterian-Columbia University Medical Center, working in the ABC News Medical Unit.

"To our knowledge, this study represents the largest review of tonsillectomy complications in healthy children 6 years or younger," the research team at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana, said in a statement.

Tonsillectomy is the second-most common surgery performed for children in the United States, with more than 530,000 procedures performed each year on children under the age of 15, according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology.

Amid the nationwide childhood obesity epidemic, researchers were particularly concerned about whether the children's weight might be linked to complications after their tonsillectomies. They also looked at their ages at the time of surgery.

The tonsillectomy procedure is usually well-tolerated and most children go home the same day as surgery -- and that’s generally what happened in the study. But there is a 5 percent rate of complications, which usually include difficulty breathing, bleeding, dehydration and lingering pain.

The study looked back at medical records of more than 1,800 children under 6 years old who had the procedures at six different medical centers in New Orleans between 2005 and 2015. Most of these children had a diagnosis of sleep-disordered breathing or obstructive sleep apnea before their tonsils were removed.

About a quarter of the patients studied were under 3 years old, and these children had a higher rate of complications -- 7 percent vs 4.6 percent for older children.

One of the main reasons to keep a child overnight in the hospital is to monitor for these post-op complications. But that extra day in the hospital can lead to more missed school and work for the family.

One in four children under 3 years old had a complication within the first 24 hours following the operation. But for older children, only one in 10 had complications early on.

Did weight alone, in otherwise healthy children, indicate there would be more problems? Breaking down the numbers and types of complication by the children’s BMIs, researchers said the statistics showed that weight did not appear to be a significant predictor of complications in this study, regardless of age.

Overall, the researchers’ recommendation: Children younger than 3 years old need careful observation after a tonsillectomy, because they are more likely to have complications. But that excess weight in a child did not make them more likely to have post-surgical issues.

Dr. Hector M. Florimon is a third-year resident in pediatrics at New York Presbyterian-Columbia University Medical Center, working in the ABC News Medical Unit.

Channeling his Irish heritage, Malarkey developed the following festive recipes from salads and crudos to traditional roasted lamb that are sure to elevate the flavors synonymous with St. Paddy's.

"With a name like Malarkey you know our family likes to have some fun on St. Patrick's Day," the father of three told ABC News. "I have great memories of celebrating with my uncles and cousins over a meal of my dad's corned beef and cabbage."

"Nowadays, it is most fun to watch my kids get excited over St. Patrick's Day," the chef said about his three children Hunter, 9, and twins Sailor and Miles, 7. "Especially when the Leprechaun wreaks havoc throughout our home with his shenanigans, leaving green footprints, knocking over toys and chairs and leaving trails of sweets.”

Malarkey, 45, is an active member of the Irish community in San Diego, where he belongs to the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, the oldest Irish fraternal charitable organization in America.

Malarkey has appeared on many notable food shows including making it to the semifinals of "Top Chef" and he now has more than a dozen restaurants across the U.S., including his newest concept Herb & Wood in San Diego's Little Italy neighborhood.

"The Malarkey clan is currently plotting a trip to Ireland next spring, but this year we will be celebrating over some good food and company, enjoying these dishes created with the help of my fellow Irish Co-Chef and Partner at Herb & Wood, Shane McIntyre."

Channeling his Irish heritage, Malarkey developed the following festive recipes from salads and crudos to traditional roasted lamb that are sure to elevate the flavors synonymous with St. Paddy's.

"With a name like Malarkey you know our family likes to have some fun on St. Patrick's Day," the father of three told ABC News. "I have great memories of celebrating with my uncles and cousins over a meal of my dad's corned beef and cabbage."

"Nowadays, it is most fun to watch my kids get excited over St. Patrick's Day," the chef said about his three children Hunter, 9, and twins Sailor and Miles, 7. "Especially when the Leprechaun wreaks havoc throughout our home with his shenanigans, leaving green footprints, knocking over toys and chairs and leaving trails of sweets.”

Malarkey, 45, is an active member of the Irish community in San Diego, where he belongs to the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, the oldest Irish fraternal charitable organization in America.

Malarkey has appeared on many notable food shows including making it to the semifinals of "Top Chef" and he now has more than a dozen restaurants across the U.S., including his newest concept Herb & Wood in San Diego's Little Italy neighborhood.

"The Malarkey clan is currently plotting a trip to Ireland next spring, but this year we will be celebrating over some good food and company, enjoying these dishes created with the help of my fellow Irish Co-Chef and Partner at Herb & Wood, Shane McIntyre."

In a statement Monday, the CDC said Timothy Cunningham, who hasn't been seen since Feb. 12, had been promoted last July.

"There has been news coverage that Commander Cunningham recently did not receive a promotion," the statement reads. "As many of his colleagues in the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) have pointed out, this information is incorrect."

"In fact, he received an early promotion/exceptional proficiency promotion to commander, effective July 1, 2017, in recognition of his exemplary performance in the U.S. Public Health Service," the statement continues. "Over and above any of his assignments at CDC, his early promotion within the USPHS reflects his excellence as an officer and an employee."

Atlanta police previously said Cunningham, 35, a commander in the Public Health Service who has been sent to respond to public health emergencies, including the Ebola virus and the Zika virus, was told on Feb. 5 that he didn't get a promotion he was up for.

A police spokesman told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Monday that they stand by their previous statements.

"We stand behind every statement the Atlanta Police Department made about Dr. Cunningham’s employment, as our information came directly from the CDC," Sgt. John Chafee of the Atlanta Police Department said in a statement. "Any further questions about Dr. Cunningham’s employment, or this statement issued by the CDC today, would need to be answered by the CDC.”

Cunningham went to work on Feb. 12 and left sick. His concerned relatives drove down from Maryland, finding all of his belongings, including his dog, at his home, according to police and ABC affiliate WSB-TV.

His sister, Tiara Cunningham, told ABC News earlier this month that her parents have "been remaining positive and prayerful."

"I have been trying my best to go through daily activities such as work without getting distracted," she told ABC News via text on Wednesday. "But no one can really prepare you for seeing your face or your brother's face on the news while at work."

In the agency's statement Monday -- one month since Timothy Cunningham was last seen -- the CDC said it had "not given up hope that he will soon be found. If Tim reads this message, we hope you come home soon."

Anyone with information is urged to call 911 or the Atlanta Police Homicide/Adult Missing Persons Unit at 404-546-4235.

In a statement Monday, the CDC said Timothy Cunningham, who hasn't been seen since Feb. 12, had been promoted last July.

"There has been news coverage that Commander Cunningham recently did not receive a promotion," the statement reads. "As many of his colleagues in the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) have pointed out, this information is incorrect."

"In fact, he received an early promotion/exceptional proficiency promotion to commander, effective July 1, 2017, in recognition of his exemplary performance in the U.S. Public Health Service," the statement continues. "Over and above any of his assignments at CDC, his early promotion within the USPHS reflects his excellence as an officer and an employee."

Atlanta police previously said Cunningham, 35, a commander in the Public Health Service who has been sent to respond to public health emergencies, including the Ebola virus and the Zika virus, was told on Feb. 5 that he didn't get a promotion he was up for.

A police spokesman told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Monday that they stand by their previous statements.

"We stand behind every statement the Atlanta Police Department made about Dr. Cunningham’s employment, as our information came directly from the CDC," Sgt. John Chafee of the Atlanta Police Department said in a statement. "Any further questions about Dr. Cunningham’s employment, or this statement issued by the CDC today, would need to be answered by the CDC.”

Cunningham went to work on Feb. 12 and left sick. His concerned relatives drove down from Maryland, finding all of his belongings, including his dog, at his home, according to police and ABC affiliate WSB-TV.

His sister, Tiara Cunningham, told ABC News earlier this month that her parents have "been remaining positive and prayerful."

"I have been trying my best to go through daily activities such as work without getting distracted," she told ABC News via text on Wednesday. "But no one can really prepare you for seeing your face or your brother's face on the news while at work."

In the agency's statement Monday -- one month since Timothy Cunningham was last seen -- the CDC said it had "not given up hope that he will soon be found. If Tim reads this message, we hope you come home soon."

Anyone with information is urged to call 911 or the Atlanta Police Homicide/Adult Missing Persons Unit at 404-546-4235.

In the latest effort to rescind Obama-era regulations, the Trump administration is doing away with a directive aimed at standardizing the way animals are treated on organic farms if their meat is being sold under a “certified organic” label. The rule was finalized in April 2016 and published in January 2017.

“A lack of clarity in organic livestock and poultry standards has led to inconsistent practices among organic producers,” according to a USDA fact sheet. “This action assures consumers that organically produced products meet a consistent standard by resolving the current ambiguity about outdoor access for poultry. It also establishes clear standards for raising, transporting, and slaughtering organic animals and birds.”

The USDA, under the Trump administration, delayed the rule -- which would have made organic regulations more specific -- three times before ultimately withdrawing it. USDA Marketing and Regulatory Program Undersecretary Greg Ibach said the department’s resistance to the rule stems from the regulatory authority it granted USDA.

“The rule would have increased federal regulation of livestock and poultry for certified organic producers and handlers,” Ibach said.

“The rule exceeds the department’s statutory authority,” he added. “The changes to the existing organic regulations could have a negative effect on voluntary participation in the National Organic Program.”

Among those that backed the USDA’s move is the American Farm Bureau Federation, arguing it will keep more farmers in the organic farming business.

"Had the rule gone into effect, we believe it would have forced a number of organic farmers and ranchers to just basically change their production practices, and it likely would have forced many of them either out of the organic sector, if not out of business,” Dale Moore, public policy executive director of the American Farm Bureau Federation, said in a statement.

“Secretary [Sonny] Perdue and Undersecretary Greg Ibach have both made the point that existing, robust, organic livestock regulations are effective,” he continued. “We strongly believe that the secretary’s action, the undersecretary’s action kept these rules inside the law.”

However, the USDA’s withdrawal of the animal welfare rule triggered a backlash from farmers and animal rights groups as well as the organic community.

National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson said in a statement that the USDA's action to withdraw the rule is a "mistake." “It puts them on an uneven playing field with the types of operations who skirt the rules, yet also benefit from the same USDA organic label," he said.

Joining Johnson in challenging the USDA is the Humane Society, along with its broad and diverse constituency, including both smaller family farmers and the non-organic producer Perdue Farms. The Humane Society's Senior Advisor of Equine Protection & Rural Affairs Marty Irby asserted that USDA's order to end the mandate will defend "a small number of large producers, not a large number of small producers."

The Humane Society, which called the reversal in policy a "travesty for millions of animals raised within the organic system," is exploring "every potential legislative and legal opportunity in the court system" to protect the welfare of animals and the integrity of the organic sector, according to Irby.

Under the withdrawn regulations, outdoor access was defined more clearly, specifically for egg-laying hens that require outdoor pens. Covered porches and similar enclosed structures, such as a wire-caged pen with a concrete floor, would not have qualified as outdoor pens. "Most consumers probably don’t realize that some of the organic eggs they are purchasing don’t actually go outside, but rather are in cages indoors," Irby said.

Another animal rights group, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, also strongly rebuked the USDA, expressing outrage over what it said would be millions of animals affected by eliminating the rule.

The Organic Trade Association -- the group behind an ongoing lawsuit against the USDA -- condemned the USDA action.

The group filed the lawsuit in September 2017 to keep the organic standards and is aimed at the USDA’s alleged violation of the Organic Foods Production Act.

The Agricultural Marketing Service received about 72,000 comments on the proposal to eliminate the rule on the Federal Register’s site. An overwhelming majority of those comments -- more than 63,000 -- opposed the final decision.

In the latest effort to rescind Obama-era regulations, the Trump administration is doing away with a directive aimed at standardizing the way animals are treated on organic farms if their meat is being sold under a “certified organic” label. The rule was finalized in April 2016 and published in January 2017.

“A lack of clarity in organic livestock and poultry standards has led to inconsistent practices among organic producers,” according to a USDA fact sheet. “This action assures consumers that organically produced products meet a consistent standard by resolving the current ambiguity about outdoor access for poultry. It also establishes clear standards for raising, transporting, and slaughtering organic animals and birds.”

The USDA, under the Trump administration, delayed the rule -- which would have made organic regulations more specific -- three times before ultimately withdrawing it. USDA Marketing and Regulatory Program Undersecretary Greg Ibach said the department’s resistance to the rule stems from the regulatory authority it granted USDA.

“The rule would have increased federal regulation of livestock and poultry for certified organic producers and handlers,” Ibach said.

“The rule exceeds the department’s statutory authority,” he added. “The changes to the existing organic regulations could have a negative effect on voluntary participation in the National Organic Program.”

Among those that backed the USDA’s move is the American Farm Bureau Federation, arguing it will keep more farmers in the organic farming business.

"Had the rule gone into effect, we believe it would have forced a number of organic farmers and ranchers to just basically change their production practices, and it likely would have forced many of them either out of the organic sector, if not out of business,” Dale Moore, public policy executive director of the American Farm Bureau Federation, said in a statement.

“Secretary [Sonny] Perdue and Undersecretary Greg Ibach have both made the point that existing, robust, organic livestock regulations are effective,” he continued. “We strongly believe that the secretary’s action, the undersecretary’s action kept these rules inside the law.”

However, the USDA’s withdrawal of the animal welfare rule triggered a backlash from farmers and animal rights groups as well as the organic community.

National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson said in a statement that the USDA's action to withdraw the rule is a "mistake." “It puts them on an uneven playing field with the types of operations who skirt the rules, yet also benefit from the same USDA organic label," he said.

Joining Johnson in challenging the USDA is the Humane Society, along with its broad and diverse constituency, including both smaller family farmers and the non-organic producer Perdue Farms. The Humane Society's Senior Advisor of Equine Protection & Rural Affairs Marty Irby asserted that USDA's order to end the mandate will defend "a small number of large producers, not a large number of small producers."

The Humane Society, which called the reversal in policy a "travesty for millions of animals raised within the organic system," is exploring "every potential legislative and legal opportunity in the court system" to protect the welfare of animals and the integrity of the organic sector, according to Irby.

Under the withdrawn regulations, outdoor access was defined more clearly, specifically for egg-laying hens that require outdoor pens. Covered porches and similar enclosed structures, such as a wire-caged pen with a concrete floor, would not have qualified as outdoor pens. "Most consumers probably don’t realize that some of the organic eggs they are purchasing don’t actually go outside, but rather are in cages indoors," Irby said.

Another animal rights group, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, also strongly rebuked the USDA, expressing outrage over what it said would be millions of animals affected by eliminating the rule.

The Organic Trade Association -- the group behind an ongoing lawsuit against the USDA -- condemned the USDA action.

The group filed the lawsuit in September 2017 to keep the organic standards and is aimed at the USDA’s alleged violation of the Organic Foods Production Act.

The Agricultural Marketing Service received about 72,000 comments on the proposal to eliminate the rule on the Federal Register’s site. An overwhelming majority of those comments -- more than 63,000 -- opposed the final decision.

After her striking before-and-after photos soon went viral, Karina Banuelos, 17, from Palmdale, California, shared her skincare regimen with Good Morning America.

"It was under my eyebrows ... under my nose. Like, around my lips," she told ABC News of her spots.

The high school senior said she saw four different dermatologists and tried countless expensive creams, face washes, and even prescription medications, and nothing worked.

Ally Banuelos, Karina's mother, said that it hurt to watch her daughter struggle.

"When you see her going through that, people making fun of her, you try to find a solution," the mother told ABC News. "I would take her everywhere, just to try to find something for her."

Karina said she eventually decided to take matters into her own hands, and after doing extensive research online, she created her own skincare routine using just four products that she bought at Target, each for less than $10.

After three months, the teen said her skin completely cleared up.

Karina's skincare regiment

She first cleanses her face using Thayer's Rose Petal Witch Hazel and a cotton ball.

Next, Karina washes her face using Dr. Bronner's cleanser and a facial brush. She said some days she uses just Dove soap as a face wash instead.

After cleansing, Karina re-applies the witch hazel with a cotton ball and then applies an oil-free moisturizer for combination skin from Neutrogena.

Finally, she cuts up a piece of a fresh aloe vera leaf and applies the gel directly to her face.

Karina said in addition to her topical skincare regiment, she also tried to cut down her consumption of junk food and dairy products, and increased her water intake to help her skin.

Ally Banuelos said she was happy her daughter was able "find something that it's not that expensive" to clear up her skin.

"You don't have to go through, you know, hundreds of dollars of going to the dermatologist when you can find something at Target for $40," she added.

Karina, now acne-free for six months, said she doesn't even stress when she gets an occasional breakout.

"I don't even complain when I have a pimple anymore," the teen said. "Because when I would get a pimple I'd get, like, 100 all over my face."

Dermatologist Dr. Whitney Bowe emphasized on "Good Morning America" today that acne is caused by a variety of things -- including diet, stress, hormones and genetics -- and what works for one person to treat acne may not work for other people.

Bowe added that if you are suffering from acne, she recommends taking three things into account when it comes to your skincare routine: cleansers, moisturizers and retinoids.

Cleansing and moisturizing every day is important, she said, and adding an over-the-counter retinol to your skincare routine may be a good option to try if you are struggling with acne.

Bowe recommends visiting a doctor if your acne ever starts to affect your quality of life.

]]>Courtesy Karina Banuelos(NEW YORK) -- After spending years suffering from severe acne, a teen said she was finally able to clear up her skin using cheap and mostly natural products.

After her striking before-and-after photos soon went viral, Karina Banuelos, 17, from Palmdale, California, shared her skincare regimen with Good Morning America.

"It was under my eyebrows ... under my nose. Like, around my lips," she told ABC News of her spots.

The high school senior said she saw four different dermatologists and tried countless expensive creams, face washes, and even prescription medications, and nothing worked.

Ally Banuelos, Karina's mother, said that it hurt to watch her daughter struggle.

"When you see her going through that, people making fun of her, you try to find a solution," the mother told ABC News. "I would take her everywhere, just to try to find something for her."

Karina said she eventually decided to take matters into her own hands, and after doing extensive research online, she created her own skincare routine using just four products that she bought at Target, each for less than $10.

After three months, the teen said her skin completely cleared up.

Karina's skincare regiment

She first cleanses her face using Thayer's Rose Petal Witch Hazel and a cotton ball.

Next, Karina washes her face using Dr. Bronner's cleanser and a facial brush. She said some days she uses just Dove soap as a face wash instead.

After cleansing, Karina re-applies the witch hazel with a cotton ball and then applies an oil-free moisturizer for combination skin from Neutrogena.

Finally, she cuts up a piece of a fresh aloe vera leaf and applies the gel directly to her face.

Karina said in addition to her topical skincare regiment, she also tried to cut down her consumption of junk food and dairy products, and increased her water intake to help her skin.

Ally Banuelos said she was happy her daughter was able "find something that it's not that expensive" to clear up her skin.

"You don't have to go through, you know, hundreds of dollars of going to the dermatologist when you can find something at Target for $40," she added.

Karina, now acne-free for six months, said she doesn't even stress when she gets an occasional breakout.

"I don't even complain when I have a pimple anymore," the teen said. "Because when I would get a pimple I'd get, like, 100 all over my face."

Dermatologist Dr. Whitney Bowe emphasized on "Good Morning America" today that acne is caused by a variety of things -- including diet, stress, hormones and genetics -- and what works for one person to treat acne may not work for other people.

Bowe added that if you are suffering from acne, she recommends taking three things into account when it comes to your skincare routine: cleansers, moisturizers and retinoids.

Cleansing and moisturizing every day is important, she said, and adding an over-the-counter retinol to your skincare routine may be a good option to try if you are struggling with acne.

Bowe recommends visiting a doctor if your acne ever starts to affect your quality of life.

]]>Drug-related deaths are up more than 600 percent over 35 years, study showshttp://hitsfm.net/abc-health-news/9a9b1bca902037f671291478b25a633e
Tue, 13 Mar 2018 19:24:00 -0500http://hitsfm.net/abc-health-news/9a9b1bca902037f671291478b25a633eiStock/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) -- It’s been a grim 35 years in the battle against substance abuse, according to a new analysis.

Overall, the study found the rise was more than 600 percent in deaths related to drug use in the U.S., between 1980 to 2014 -- including substance abuse, self-harm and interpersonal violence. The findings appeared Tuesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Opioid painkillers, both prescription and nonprescription, were suggested to be the main culprit in drug deaths.

“To our knowledge, this study is the first at the county level to consider drug use disorders and distinguish between intentional and unintentional overdoses,” said Dr. Laura Dwyer-Lindgren, the study’s lead author and faculty member at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation.

Nationally, the standardized rate of drug use deaths in 2014 was 10.4 people per 100,000, compared to 1.4 in 1980.

Geographically, the rise was almost universal -- almost 100 percent of all U.S. counties had increased numbers of deaths from drug use, although the amounts of the increases were different.

The researchers analyzed death records by county and used new math modeling techniques to understand how substance abuse has affected different places. They were also able to use death records from the U.S. Census Bureau, National Center for Health Statistics and the Human Mortality Database to separate out subtle differences in drug use that were difficult to tell previously.

The most heavily affected areas? Counties in Kentucky, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana and eastern Oklahoma –- some with increases in drug deaths of more than 5,000 percent.

Other causes of death were found in the study, including from alcohol abuse, "self-harm" and interpersonal violence.

Self-harm accounted for more than 1.2 million deaths in the U.S., interpersonal violence accounted for more than 760,000 and alcohol use disorder was responsible for more than 250,000 deaths.

Over the entire time period, deaths from alcohol use disorders decreased nationally. That was true for self-harm, as well.

But since 2000, self-harm deaths have taken the opposite turn, increasing by about 11 percent across the U.S.

Interpersonal violence substantially decreased, overall, during the 35 year period of the study, but there were some places where it increased. Though it may seem that urban areas would have the most violent deaths, researchers said the study showed that wasn't the case.

This article was written by Dr. John Byun. Byun is a radiation oncology resident based at the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and a resident in the ABC News Medical Unit.

]]>iStock/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) -- It’s been a grim 35 years in the battle against substance abuse, according to a new analysis.

Overall, the study found the rise was more than 600 percent in deaths related to drug use in the U.S., between 1980 to 2014 -- including substance abuse, self-harm and interpersonal violence. The findings appeared Tuesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Opioid painkillers, both prescription and nonprescription, were suggested to be the main culprit in drug deaths.

“To our knowledge, this study is the first at the county level to consider drug use disorders and distinguish between intentional and unintentional overdoses,” said Dr. Laura Dwyer-Lindgren, the study’s lead author and faculty member at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation.

Nationally, the standardized rate of drug use deaths in 2014 was 10.4 people per 100,000, compared to 1.4 in 1980.

Geographically, the rise was almost universal -- almost 100 percent of all U.S. counties had increased numbers of deaths from drug use, although the amounts of the increases were different.

The researchers analyzed death records by county and used new math modeling techniques to understand how substance abuse has affected different places. They were also able to use death records from the U.S. Census Bureau, National Center for Health Statistics and the Human Mortality Database to separate out subtle differences in drug use that were difficult to tell previously.

The most heavily affected areas? Counties in Kentucky, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana and eastern Oklahoma –- some with increases in drug deaths of more than 5,000 percent.

Other causes of death were found in the study, including from alcohol abuse, "self-harm" and interpersonal violence.

Self-harm accounted for more than 1.2 million deaths in the U.S., interpersonal violence accounted for more than 760,000 and alcohol use disorder was responsible for more than 250,000 deaths.

Over the entire time period, deaths from alcohol use disorders decreased nationally. That was true for self-harm, as well.

But since 2000, self-harm deaths have taken the opposite turn, increasing by about 11 percent across the U.S.

Interpersonal violence substantially decreased, overall, during the 35 year period of the study, but there were some places where it increased. Though it may seem that urban areas would have the most violent deaths, researchers said the study showed that wasn't the case.

This article was written by Dr. John Byun. Byun is a radiation oncology resident based at the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and a resident in the ABC News Medical Unit.

]]>Why the US spends more on healthcare than other countries, but doesn't fare better: Studyhttp://hitsfm.net/abc-health-news/f89678057c032971b526a4ac2d1ee35d
Tue, 13 Mar 2018 16:47:00 -0500http://hitsfm.net/abc-health-news/f89678057c032971b526a4ac2d1ee35dMoodboard / Thinkstock(NEW YORK) -- Americans pay more for health care and get fewer results, according to a new analysis.

The U.S. spends more money than any other country on healthcare, yet life expectancy is shorter, obesity is higher, and the rate of maternal and infant death is higher as well. The study published in JAMA on Tuesday takes a closer look at how health dollars are spent, and some of the findings might be surprising.Where is the health care money going?

Researchers at Harvard University analyzed data from international organizations on types of spending and performance outcomes between the U.S. and other high-income countries: Canada, Germany, Australia, Japan, Sweden, France, Denmark, The Netherlands and Switzerland.

By comparison, one of the main drivers of the high healthcare costs in the U.S.: brand name prescription drugs.

In the U.S. people spend, per person, nearly double the on pharmaceutical drugs -- $1,443 -- compared to the average of other countries, $749.

For example, long-acting insulin for diabetes has a monthly cost of $186 in the U.S., but costs a third of that in Canada. Crestor, a common cholesterol-lowering medication, will cost patients $86 in the U.S., but less than half in Germany.

Authors found the total spending on generic drugs in the U.S. is less than 30 percent of the total dollars spent on pharmaceuticals, suggesting that brand name medications are a major driver of costs for the U.S. healthcare system.

The U.S. spends more, but fewer people are covered

In 2016, while only about 90 percent of the population had healthcare coverage, the U.S. spent about 18 percent of its GDP on health care. Other countries spent much less of their GDP on health care, ranging from 9 percent in Australia to 12 percent in Switzerland -- while they had more than 99 percent of the populations with healthcare coverage.

Contrary to popular belief, health care utilization, or how many go to the doctor, and social spending, or how much government spent to improve health, did not differ in the U.S. compared to these countries.

Two thirds of the difference in health care costs between the U.S. and other countries were rolled up into medication costs, expensive tests and procedures and administrative costs.

The U.S. suffers from high prices and at the same time it also deals with high volumes.

When it comes to testing, the U.S. performs more CT scans than any other country -- 1.3 million per year. Each scan costs 10 times more than in The Netherlands, for example. Even procedures like a cesarean delivery cost, on average, seven times more in U.S. than in The Netherlands.

Many have questioned: Are physician salaries also to blame? Yes and no. Salaries paid to doctors and nurses in the U.S. were more than twice as much as other countries. However, researchers say "the number of physicians in the U.S. is comparatively low, offsetting the effect of high salaries."

For example, despite Germany having almost twice as many doctors as in the United States -- 4.1 doctors per 1,000 people, versus 2.6 in the U.S. -- the amount spent on their salaries is essentially the same.

]]>Moodboard / Thinkstock(NEW YORK) -- Americans pay more for health care and get fewer results, according to a new analysis.

The U.S. spends more money than any other country on healthcare, yet life expectancy is shorter, obesity is higher, and the rate of maternal and infant death is higher as well. The study published in JAMA on Tuesday takes a closer look at how health dollars are spent, and some of the findings might be surprising.Where is the health care money going?

Researchers at Harvard University analyzed data from international organizations on types of spending and performance outcomes between the U.S. and other high-income countries: Canada, Germany, Australia, Japan, Sweden, France, Denmark, The Netherlands and Switzerland.

By comparison, one of the main drivers of the high healthcare costs in the U.S.: brand name prescription drugs.

In the U.S. people spend, per person, nearly double the on pharmaceutical drugs -- $1,443 -- compared to the average of other countries, $749.

For example, long-acting insulin for diabetes has a monthly cost of $186 in the U.S., but costs a third of that in Canada. Crestor, a common cholesterol-lowering medication, will cost patients $86 in the U.S., but less than half in Germany.

Authors found the total spending on generic drugs in the U.S. is less than 30 percent of the total dollars spent on pharmaceuticals, suggesting that brand name medications are a major driver of costs for the U.S. healthcare system.

The U.S. spends more, but fewer people are covered

In 2016, while only about 90 percent of the population had healthcare coverage, the U.S. spent about 18 percent of its GDP on health care. Other countries spent much less of their GDP on health care, ranging from 9 percent in Australia to 12 percent in Switzerland -- while they had more than 99 percent of the populations with healthcare coverage.

Contrary to popular belief, health care utilization, or how many go to the doctor, and social spending, or how much government spent to improve health, did not differ in the U.S. compared to these countries.

Two thirds of the difference in health care costs between the U.S. and other countries were rolled up into medication costs, expensive tests and procedures and administrative costs.

The U.S. suffers from high prices and at the same time it also deals with high volumes.

When it comes to testing, the U.S. performs more CT scans than any other country -- 1.3 million per year. Each scan costs 10 times more than in The Netherlands, for example. Even procedures like a cesarean delivery cost, on average, seven times more in U.S. than in The Netherlands.

Many have questioned: Are physician salaries also to blame? Yes and no. Salaries paid to doctors and nurses in the U.S. were more than twice as much as other countries. However, researchers say "the number of physicians in the U.S. is comparatively low, offsetting the effect of high salaries."

For example, despite Germany having almost twice as many doctors as in the United States -- 4.1 doctors per 1,000 people, versus 2.6 in the U.S. -- the amount spent on their salaries is essentially the same.

After watching recent tragedies like the Florida school shooting that left 17 dead, DuBrock said she felt for the first time that she needed to do even more to build her students' mental well-being.

DuBrock, a kindergarten teacher in Dyer, Indiana, had an idea to help students the best way she knows how, through books.

She created a “mental wellness in the classroom” book wish list on Amazon with more than 80 books, all focused on helping kids develop emotionally.

“I really feel that if kids get social and emotional education early, we won’t have as many negatives later,” DuBrock told ABC News. “Being in education, books have always been a nice way to start a conversation, to get to the grit of something.”

DuBrock added, “It is my job to teach kids to love to read, to learn from it and to know that it gives them power, the power to learn something new or to go into a fantasy world and imagine.”

DuBrock shared her book wish list on Facebook, where she often posts if her classroom needs extra supplies and learning tools.

“I teach kindergarten in NW Indiana and my job is not just about academics as some may think,” DuBrock wrote on Facebook. “I shape children. I am their first step out of the home. I can make school a place they want to be and teach them that learning can be fun. I choose to do so.”

Within one hour of DuBrock’s post, 50 books from the list had been purchased and donated to her elementary school.

The school has since received 300 books and counting, from parents, strangers, book publishers and even authors themselves.

“I’m so grateful for all the support and in awe that there are so many good people out there,” said DuBrock, who has been sorting and organizing the books overtime. “It’s not just the book, it’s the kind words that are hitting us in the heart.”

DuBrock has also heard from teachers and librarians across the country who have adopted her wish list for their own schools.

DuBrock’s elementary school is even incorporating the ideas in the donated books -- kindness, inclusion, diversity, respect, friendships, coping, perseverance, emotions, for example -- into a superhero theme for students.

“Those are the superpowers they’ll learn and they’ll come up with their own superpower and how they can add to it, like making friends,” DuBrock said.

Out of all the books on the list, DuBrock said she has two books she’d recommend to all parents and teachers to teach kids about feelings and mental health.

"'Your Fantastic Elastic Brain: Stretch It, Shape It,' by JoAnn Deak, is a great book about not giving up," DuBrock said. "And 'Mind Bubbles,' by Heather Krantz, is great for exploring mindfulness with kids."

]]>Courtesy Tina DuBrock(INDIANAPOLIS) -- Tina DuBrock has been a teacher for 15 years.

After watching recent tragedies like the Florida school shooting that left 17 dead, DuBrock said she felt for the first time that she needed to do even more to build her students' mental well-being.

DuBrock, a kindergarten teacher in Dyer, Indiana, had an idea to help students the best way she knows how, through books.

She created a “mental wellness in the classroom” book wish list on Amazon with more than 80 books, all focused on helping kids develop emotionally.

“I really feel that if kids get social and emotional education early, we won’t have as many negatives later,” DuBrock told ABC News. “Being in education, books have always been a nice way to start a conversation, to get to the grit of something.”

DuBrock added, “It is my job to teach kids to love to read, to learn from it and to know that it gives them power, the power to learn something new or to go into a fantasy world and imagine.”

DuBrock shared her book wish list on Facebook, where she often posts if her classroom needs extra supplies and learning tools.

“I teach kindergarten in NW Indiana and my job is not just about academics as some may think,” DuBrock wrote on Facebook. “I shape children. I am their first step out of the home. I can make school a place they want to be and teach them that learning can be fun. I choose to do so.”

Within one hour of DuBrock’s post, 50 books from the list had been purchased and donated to her elementary school.

The school has since received 300 books and counting, from parents, strangers, book publishers and even authors themselves.

“I’m so grateful for all the support and in awe that there are so many good people out there,” said DuBrock, who has been sorting and organizing the books overtime. “It’s not just the book, it’s the kind words that are hitting us in the heart.”

DuBrock has also heard from teachers and librarians across the country who have adopted her wish list for their own schools.

DuBrock’s elementary school is even incorporating the ideas in the donated books -- kindness, inclusion, diversity, respect, friendships, coping, perseverance, emotions, for example -- into a superhero theme for students.

“Those are the superpowers they’ll learn and they’ll come up with their own superpower and how they can add to it, like making friends,” DuBrock said.

Out of all the books on the list, DuBrock said she has two books she’d recommend to all parents and teachers to teach kids about feelings and mental health.

"'Your Fantastic Elastic Brain: Stretch It, Shape It,' by JoAnn Deak, is a great book about not giving up," DuBrock said. "And 'Mind Bubbles,' by Heather Krantz, is great for exploring mindfulness with kids."

]]>'He's an incredible warrior:' Meet the rare cancer survivor cycling to raise funds for a curehttp://hitsfm.net/abc-health-news/d4a64707992627e3922715f816d0f4bb
Tue, 13 Mar 2018 13:51:00 -0500http://hitsfm.net/abc-health-news/d4a64707992627e3922715f816d0f4bbEvan Freiburg(NEW YORK) -- A survivor of a rare form of cancer, who had part of his leg amputated as well as undergone radiotherapy, chemotherapy and multiple surgeries, did not let any of those factors stop him from leading a team of bikers this weekend at an event to raise funds for rare cancer research.

Freiberg, who is a radiologist, was diagnosed with leiomyosarcoma, a rare cancer, in February 2016. Shortly after, he had his left leg amputated below the knee, and initially things were looking optimistic.

During a routine CT scan in October 2016, however, doctors said that his cancer had spread to his lungs. Following radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery, Freiberg celebrated being cancer-free in July 2017.

But by October 2017 he learned that the cancer had spread to his spine. Despite his harrowing, ongoing, health battle, Freiberg continues to remain optimistic and still works full-time.

This weekend he spearheaded a team of bikers at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center's Cycle for Survival in New York City, which raises funds for cancer research through indoor cycling events. Cycle for Survival has raised $165 million for cancer research since 2007, according to its website.

"The great thing about Cycle for Survival is I have a lot of family members who want to help us but its not like they could go into the laboratory and discover a cure for sarcoma, but this is a way for them to help," Freiberg said.

Almost 13 percent of all cancers diagnosed in patients 20 years old and above in the U.S. are defined as rare cancers, according to a 2017 report from the American Cancer Society.

"Any cancer diagnosis is difficult, but rare cancers can be especially challenging for patients," the report stated. "After diagnosis, patients and caregivers often have a hard time finding information about their cancer, and treatment options are usually more limited and less effective than for more common cancers."

'There is nothing to do but feel hope'

Felicia Freiberg, Evan's wife, said that when she first found out about her husband's diagnosis, "the first thing that went through my mind was our kids."

"These statistics were terrible, and I was terrified about what was going to happen to our family and if we lost Evan," she said. "How it would affect our children? How I was going to raise them without my husband?"

She said that they found "hope" when they went to Memorial Sloane Kettering Cancer Center and met with the doctors there.

"There is nothing to do but to feel hope," she said, adding that her husband is her main source of inspiration. "He never slowed down for a second, he never seemed defeated for a second.

"When he heard that he had to have the amputation ... he made a joke at the time, he was trying to add levity to the situation," she added.

Felicia Freiberg biked alongside her husband at this weekend's event.

"I feel like he’s an incredible warrior and if he can have this motivation and attitude, the least I could do is try to be a support to him, and try to have the best attitude and outlook that I can," she said.

She also thanked all those who supported their family's journey, and donated to their Cycle for Survival team.

"People may not realize that giving just a little bit of money is so important to people facing a rare cancer or people battling for their lives," she said. "And it really is, because it goes toward research which can help save your loved one's life."

]]>Evan Freiburg(NEW YORK) -- A survivor of a rare form of cancer, who had part of his leg amputated as well as undergone radiotherapy, chemotherapy and multiple surgeries, did not let any of those factors stop him from leading a team of bikers this weekend at an event to raise funds for rare cancer research.

Freiberg, who is a radiologist, was diagnosed with leiomyosarcoma, a rare cancer, in February 2016. Shortly after, he had his left leg amputated below the knee, and initially things were looking optimistic.

During a routine CT scan in October 2016, however, doctors said that his cancer had spread to his lungs. Following radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery, Freiberg celebrated being cancer-free in July 2017.

But by October 2017 he learned that the cancer had spread to his spine. Despite his harrowing, ongoing, health battle, Freiberg continues to remain optimistic and still works full-time.

This weekend he spearheaded a team of bikers at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center's Cycle for Survival in New York City, which raises funds for cancer research through indoor cycling events. Cycle for Survival has raised $165 million for cancer research since 2007, according to its website.

"The great thing about Cycle for Survival is I have a lot of family members who want to help us but its not like they could go into the laboratory and discover a cure for sarcoma, but this is a way for them to help," Freiberg said.

Almost 13 percent of all cancers diagnosed in patients 20 years old and above in the U.S. are defined as rare cancers, according to a 2017 report from the American Cancer Society.

"Any cancer diagnosis is difficult, but rare cancers can be especially challenging for patients," the report stated. "After diagnosis, patients and caregivers often have a hard time finding information about their cancer, and treatment options are usually more limited and less effective than for more common cancers."

'There is nothing to do but feel hope'

Felicia Freiberg, Evan's wife, said that when she first found out about her husband's diagnosis, "the first thing that went through my mind was our kids."

"These statistics were terrible, and I was terrified about what was going to happen to our family and if we lost Evan," she said. "How it would affect our children? How I was going to raise them without my husband?"

She said that they found "hope" when they went to Memorial Sloane Kettering Cancer Center and met with the doctors there.

"There is nothing to do but to feel hope," she said, adding that her husband is her main source of inspiration. "He never slowed down for a second, he never seemed defeated for a second.

"When he heard that he had to have the amputation ... he made a joke at the time, he was trying to add levity to the situation," she added.

Felicia Freiberg biked alongside her husband at this weekend's event.

"I feel like he’s an incredible warrior and if he can have this motivation and attitude, the least I could do is try to be a support to him, and try to have the best attitude and outlook that I can," she said.

She also thanked all those who supported their family's journey, and donated to their Cycle for Survival team.

"People may not realize that giving just a little bit of money is so important to people facing a rare cancer or people battling for their lives," she said. "And it really is, because it goes toward research which can help save your loved one's life."

]]>Fidget spinners pose choking, burn hazards for children: EU reporthttp://hitsfm.net/abc-health-news/6216e3ffec45bb975bfe355c2dd09db6
Tue, 13 Mar 2018 12:36:00 -0500http://hitsfm.net/abc-health-news/6216e3ffec45bb975bfe355c2dd09db6iStock/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) -- The widely popular toys fidget spinners have been flagged on a recent European Union list of dangerous products. The European Commission released the report saying the toys pose several risks to children.

Many fidget spinners have "button batteries" that make the toys light up as they spin, according to the EU's Rapid Alert System for Dangerous Product 2017 Annual Report. If children swallow these "small, flat batteries" they can "cause burns to the [esophagus] and intestines."

Button batteries are not the only concern the commission cites. Fidget spinners often have "easily detachable small parts," such as the central cover of the toy, according to the report.

"This can pose a risk, especially to small children, who may put it in the mouth and choke," the report said. In these cases, the report said hospital intervention is needed quickly.

The report said that as a result of the EU's Rapid Alert system "dangerous fidget spinners have been tracked down, stopped at borders and ports, or destroyed."

The Consumer Product Safety Commission in the U.S. has also issued warnings about the hazards of fidget spinners, including choking, and some were recalled by Target stores over concerns they may have contained lead.

]]>iStock/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) -- The widely popular toys fidget spinners have been flagged on a recent European Union list of dangerous products. The European Commission released the report saying the toys pose several risks to children.

Many fidget spinners have "button batteries" that make the toys light up as they spin, according to the EU's Rapid Alert System for Dangerous Product 2017 Annual Report. If children swallow these "small, flat batteries" they can "cause burns to the [esophagus] and intestines."

Button batteries are not the only concern the commission cites. Fidget spinners often have "easily detachable small parts," such as the central cover of the toy, according to the report.

"This can pose a risk, especially to small children, who may put it in the mouth and choke," the report said. In these cases, the report said hospital intervention is needed quickly.

The report said that as a result of the EU's Rapid Alert system "dangerous fidget spinners have been tracked down, stopped at borders and ports, or destroyed."

The Consumer Product Safety Commission in the U.S. has also issued warnings about the hazards of fidget spinners, including choking, and some were recalled by Target stores over concerns they may have contained lead.

]]>Erin Andrews spreads awareness about cervical cancer: What you should knowhttp://hitsfm.net/abc-health-news/1c66a9bd27099014751e4cfa152051f2
Tue, 13 Mar 2018 07:08:00 -0500http://hitsfm.net/abc-health-news/1c66a9bd27099014751e4cfa152051f2ABC News(NEW YORK) -- In 2018, more than 13,000 women could be diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer and more than 4,000 women could die from it, according to estimates from the American Cancer Society -- and it is often preventable with the regular screening.

In 2016, Dancing With the Stars co-host Erin Andrews was one of the thousands of women diagnosed with cervical cancer.

"I think what went through my mind is what everyone thinks of ... 'I'm sorry. I have what? I have what?,'" Andrews, 39, said in an interview that aired Tuesday on Good Morning America. "[My doctor] told me what was going on and my first reaction was like, 'How bad is this?'"

Andrews, also a sports reporter, had surgery a few weeks after her diagnosis. Just three days post-surgery she traveled to cover a Green Bay Packers vs. Dallas Cowboys NFL game.

"That's where I feel better is on the side lines," Andrews explained. "I could actually forget about it. It is where I felt like this is me."

She is now helping to raise awareness of screening and treatments for cervical cancer.

"Everybody said this ... 'There is nothing is wrong with you. You are healthy. You go work out all of the time. There are no symptoms,'" Andrews recalled. "And that's what makes this something that should urge you to go to the doctor more."

Now cancer free, Andrews is hoping to start a family with her husband, former NHL player Jarret Stoll.

"I didn't have to have a hysterectomy and so I'm fully capable of having a baby," Andrews said. "But that is because I went and got tested and because we were able to treat it early, and that is all you need to tell the women in your life."

Here is what women should know about cervical cancer.

What is cervical cancer?

It starts on the lower part of uterus when normal cells change, or mutate, and then grows into a large mass, or tumor.

If not treated, it can spread out of control to lymph nodes, or other organs like the lungs, liver or brain. It tends to occur in women between the ages of 35 and 44

How does cervical cancer develop?

How does a cell change from a normal cervix cell to cancer? It’s a gradual process, with many stages, including what doctors may call "atypical cells" and "intraepithelial lesions."

A major cause of all of these changes is the human papilloma virus. HPV can attack the cervix and target the cells’ genes, causing mutations.

Other risk factors may be preventable, including smoking and a history of sexually transmitted diseases.

What are the symptoms?

Sometimes there are few noticeable symptoms. Women might notice bleeding or pain after intercourse or unusual discharge from the vagina, symptoms which can arise because of the tumor.

How is cervical cancer diagnosed?

When doctors thinks cervical cancer is possible, biopsies can be performed to analyze the cells. They can take scrapings or cut a sample of the area or suspicious mass, which lets them diagnose cervical cancer with certainty.

Since other diseases can cause symptoms similar to those in cervical cancer, general doctors and gynecologists will often perform pelvic exams and can do additional tests, like the familiar Pap smear, to find small or hidden cancers and catch them early. The Pap smear uses a small brush to scrape cells off the cervix, which can be checked under a microscope for cancer.

The American Cancer Society recommends all women should be checked for cervical cancer every three years, beginning at age 21. From age 30 to 65, ACS recommends both the Pap smear and an HPV testing every five years.

If cancer is found, doctors can use scans and imaging to see "how far" the cancer has spread, including CT or PET scans and MRIs.

These tests will help determine the "stage" of the cancer, which indicates how likely it is that the cancer can be stopped. Stages of cancer are usually from 1 to 4 -- stage 1 is the most curable, stage 4 the most advanced.Can cervical cancer be prevented?

Regular screenings and vaccines that block the HPV virus, a common cause of cervical cancer, have helped decrease the yearly number of new cervical cancer cases, and doctors say those are the most effective precautions that women can take.

Doctors say the best precaution that women can take are regular screening and the HPV vaccine.

The vaccine is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and is routinely given to adolescent boys and girls between the ages of 11 or 12 -- in some cases, even starting at the age of 9. The HPV vaccine can also help prevent throat and other genital cancers in men.

What are the treatments for cervical cancer?

Treatments can range widely, from surgery -- which may require removing the entire cervix, uterus and ovaries -- to radiation and chemotherapy.

In some cases, removing the cancer can be done with surgery alone, though it may require removing the entire cervix, uterus and ovaries.

Radiation uses X-rays to kill the cancer, and chemotherapy can add chemicals to the body to make the cancer more sensitive to the radiation.

If no treatment is given, cervical cancer will continue to grow and can even spread to the lungs, liver and bones.

In 2016, Dancing With the Stars co-host Erin Andrews was one of the thousands of women diagnosed with cervical cancer.

"I think what went through my mind is what everyone thinks of ... 'I'm sorry. I have what? I have what?,'" Andrews, 39, said in an interview that aired Tuesday on Good Morning America. "[My doctor] told me what was going on and my first reaction was like, 'How bad is this?'"

Andrews, also a sports reporter, had surgery a few weeks after her diagnosis. Just three days post-surgery she traveled to cover a Green Bay Packers vs. Dallas Cowboys NFL game.

"That's where I feel better is on the side lines," Andrews explained. "I could actually forget about it. It is where I felt like this is me."

She is now helping to raise awareness of screening and treatments for cervical cancer.

"Everybody said this ... 'There is nothing is wrong with you. You are healthy. You go work out all of the time. There are no symptoms,'" Andrews recalled. "And that's what makes this something that should urge you to go to the doctor more."

Now cancer free, Andrews is hoping to start a family with her husband, former NHL player Jarret Stoll.

"I didn't have to have a hysterectomy and so I'm fully capable of having a baby," Andrews said. "But that is because I went and got tested and because we were able to treat it early, and that is all you need to tell the women in your life."

Here is what women should know about cervical cancer.

What is cervical cancer?

It starts on the lower part of uterus when normal cells change, or mutate, and then grows into a large mass, or tumor.

If not treated, it can spread out of control to lymph nodes, or other organs like the lungs, liver or brain. It tends to occur in women between the ages of 35 and 44

How does cervical cancer develop?

How does a cell change from a normal cervix cell to cancer? It’s a gradual process, with many stages, including what doctors may call "atypical cells" and "intraepithelial lesions."

A major cause of all of these changes is the human papilloma virus. HPV can attack the cervix and target the cells’ genes, causing mutations.

Other risk factors may be preventable, including smoking and a history of sexually transmitted diseases.

What are the symptoms?

Sometimes there are few noticeable symptoms. Women might notice bleeding or pain after intercourse or unusual discharge from the vagina, symptoms which can arise because of the tumor.

How is cervical cancer diagnosed?

When doctors thinks cervical cancer is possible, biopsies can be performed to analyze the cells. They can take scrapings or cut a sample of the area or suspicious mass, which lets them diagnose cervical cancer with certainty.

Since other diseases can cause symptoms similar to those in cervical cancer, general doctors and gynecologists will often perform pelvic exams and can do additional tests, like the familiar Pap smear, to find small or hidden cancers and catch them early. The Pap smear uses a small brush to scrape cells off the cervix, which can be checked under a microscope for cancer.

The American Cancer Society recommends all women should be checked for cervical cancer every three years, beginning at age 21. From age 30 to 65, ACS recommends both the Pap smear and an HPV testing every five years.

If cancer is found, doctors can use scans and imaging to see "how far" the cancer has spread, including CT or PET scans and MRIs.

These tests will help determine the "stage" of the cancer, which indicates how likely it is that the cancer can be stopped. Stages of cancer are usually from 1 to 4 -- stage 1 is the most curable, stage 4 the most advanced.Can cervical cancer be prevented?

Regular screenings and vaccines that block the HPV virus, a common cause of cervical cancer, have helped decrease the yearly number of new cervical cancer cases, and doctors say those are the most effective precautions that women can take.

Doctors say the best precaution that women can take are regular screening and the HPV vaccine.

The vaccine is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and is routinely given to adolescent boys and girls between the ages of 11 or 12 -- in some cases, even starting at the age of 9. The HPV vaccine can also help prevent throat and other genital cancers in men.

What are the treatments for cervical cancer?

Treatments can range widely, from surgery -- which may require removing the entire cervix, uterus and ovaries -- to radiation and chemotherapy.

In some cases, removing the cancer can be done with surgery alone, though it may require removing the entire cervix, uterus and ovaries.

Radiation uses X-rays to kill the cancer, and chemotherapy can add chemicals to the body to make the cancer more sensitive to the radiation.

If no treatment is given, cervical cancer will continue to grow and can even spread to the lungs, liver and bones.

He said he'd taught himself how to throw with his left hand, after he'd lost his right arm and hand in 2003 during a tour in Iraq, but to regain his original ability was "special."

"It was really amazing," Jason Frei said of the new ability. "To have that chance again ... was a really special thing."

And, he has his son Robbie Frei to thank for it.

Robbie Frei was 3 years old in 2003, when his father, Jason Frei, a major in the Marine Corps was injured during the invasion of Iraq. Jason Frei said he was traveling in a Humvee when the vehicle was ambushed and struck by a rocket-propelled grenade. Jason Frei lost his right arm and hand.

Robbie Frei said that for the most part, when his father returned from the war, he took on the challenges of being an amputee and overcame them. But as Robbie Frei grew older and got interested in video games, he said he'd ask his father to join him in a game.

"Every time, it was the same response: 'I would need two hands for this,'" Robbie Frei said. "I don't know if he felt left out or not."

So in the fall of 2017, Robbie Frei, a senior at Priory High School in Missouri and captain of the school robotics team, created a 3-D video-game one-arm adapter for his father. He got help from his team, as well as the school's engineering team, and used the school's resources, including 3-D printers.

And when it came time to decide on a senior thesis, Robbie Frei stuck with the prosthesis but challenged himself to give it a different function: throwing a baseball.

"He did all of the math and all of the design to use it to play baseball. ... I can throw a baseball with my left hand, I learned to do that, but I wasn't able to do it with my prosthetic. ... He really kind of crossed the bridge. It was a great project," Jason Frei said.

The new prosthesis is modeled after Jason's working hand. To create the prosthesis' baseball-throwing motion, Robbie said he used a video of himself throwing a ball, and then analyzed that video on a computer to come up with the geometric model and speeds.

"Seeing it [in] real life -- and fit right -- it was just incredible," said Robbie Frei. "From a more emotional standpoint, I was absolutely blown away that I was creating something that I could use in the real world to help people."

Jason Frei, who now works at Boeing, said his son's project lives up to the company's standards when building airplanes.

"It was really cool to see him come to that process and to see him when he printed the final product, how good it really was because of all the testing he did," Jason Frei said. "That was neat."

Robbie said he'd been involved in robotics since the seventh grade. He's now wrapping up his sixth year on the robotics team and plans to continue studying robotics in college.

In the meantime, he and his father plan to continue improving the prosthetic hand. They have plans to add a rotating wrist and perhaps make adjustments to the thumb joint.

"It's a really evolving process," Robbie said. "Hopefully, by the end, by the time I go off for college, I'll have a really nice arm that he can keep for a long time."

]]>Courtesy Frei Family(CREVE COUER,Mo.) -- For the first time in 16 years, Jason Frei can throw a baseball with his right hand.

He said he'd taught himself how to throw with his left hand, after he'd lost his right arm and hand in 2003 during a tour in Iraq, but to regain his original ability was "special."

"It was really amazing," Jason Frei said of the new ability. "To have that chance again ... was a really special thing."

And, he has his son Robbie Frei to thank for it.

Robbie Frei was 3 years old in 2003, when his father, Jason Frei, a major in the Marine Corps was injured during the invasion of Iraq. Jason Frei said he was traveling in a Humvee when the vehicle was ambushed and struck by a rocket-propelled grenade. Jason Frei lost his right arm and hand.

Robbie Frei said that for the most part, when his father returned from the war, he took on the challenges of being an amputee and overcame them. But as Robbie Frei grew older and got interested in video games, he said he'd ask his father to join him in a game.

"Every time, it was the same response: 'I would need two hands for this,'" Robbie Frei said. "I don't know if he felt left out or not."

So in the fall of 2017, Robbie Frei, a senior at Priory High School in Missouri and captain of the school robotics team, created a 3-D video-game one-arm adapter for his father. He got help from his team, as well as the school's engineering team, and used the school's resources, including 3-D printers.

And when it came time to decide on a senior thesis, Robbie Frei stuck with the prosthesis but challenged himself to give it a different function: throwing a baseball.

"He did all of the math and all of the design to use it to play baseball. ... I can throw a baseball with my left hand, I learned to do that, but I wasn't able to do it with my prosthetic. ... He really kind of crossed the bridge. It was a great project," Jason Frei said.

The new prosthesis is modeled after Jason's working hand. To create the prosthesis' baseball-throwing motion, Robbie said he used a video of himself throwing a ball, and then analyzed that video on a computer to come up with the geometric model and speeds.

"Seeing it [in] real life -- and fit right -- it was just incredible," said Robbie Frei. "From a more emotional standpoint, I was absolutely blown away that I was creating something that I could use in the real world to help people."

Jason Frei, who now works at Boeing, said his son's project lives up to the company's standards when building airplanes.

"It was really cool to see him come to that process and to see him when he printed the final product, how good it really was because of all the testing he did," Jason Frei said. "That was neat."

Robbie said he'd been involved in robotics since the seventh grade. He's now wrapping up his sixth year on the robotics team and plans to continue studying robotics in college.

In the meantime, he and his father plan to continue improving the prosthetic hand. They have plans to add a rotating wrist and perhaps make adjustments to the thumb joint.

"It's a really evolving process," Robbie said. "Hopefully, by the end, by the time I go off for college, I'll have a really nice arm that he can keep for a long time."